No Kidding!

Since the time I can remember, I have had a fascination for everything animated. One would probably categorize them as cartoons, but I can’t bring myself to call something with intelligent humour a ‘cartoon.’

Time and again, I have been told it is ‘kiddish’ to watch, and love, animated movies. “Grow up, Nikhaar!” is what I usually get. Well, let’s just say, if growing up will make me stop appreciating the sheer genius that goes into making the magic, I don’t want to!

I believe it takes nothing less than superlative creativity and a vivid imagination to be able to create a blockbuster movie out of a simple idea. Imagine earning half a billion dollars just from the basic fear that every child has - a monster hiding in their closet. Who thought of it, in the first place, that a whole new world could be created based on that one small, universal reality? That a child’s screams could be the source of energy for a monster world...and that every fright children get every night is planned and premeditated, that it’s all a booming business! Wow!

There are the Shreks and the Madagascars and the Toy Storys and the Kung Fu Pandas...everyone knows them. They are unquestionably perfect in design and plot and absolutely hilarious. But there are those I feel did not get the recognition they deserve.

I remember renting a DVD once, it had 8 animations, and I watched them back to back. There was one in particular, Hoodwinked, that made me really wonder at the brains behind it all. It was like Vantage Point meets Red Riding Hood!

Wall-E, simply put, is brilliant. And it has a message too.

There are some in which emotions run so high, I almost cry. Sounds strange, but such is the impact! I did cry when Manny has to let go of the baby in Ice Age.

If you ever get the chance, do check the Pixar Animation Studios website. The 'How we do it' section is worth a visit. From the time an employee pitches an idea to drawing the storyboards to adding the final touches, it is an amazing process. It is on my wishlist to be a part of it, maybe someday...

I pretty much walk out of the theatre wishing, each time, that every movie ever made was animated! No kidding!